For Rebekah Bromley, her two dogs are her companions, fitness trainers and mental health therapists, and giving them the best care possible is her priority, even if it means cutting back in other areas.
“I’ve had to make changes in my normal everyday life, not eating out except every once in a while, no movies except on TV, don’t do a lot of clothes shopping, travel has been cut back, but as long as I’m working and can afford it, I want to make sure that my treasures are taken care of,” said the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga communication associate professor.
“I know that sounds like a batty old lady, but they do bring me joy. I don’t think of them as children. I know they are not children and I have a child, but they do enrich my life,” she added.
Despite the current economic slowdown, the pet care industry continues to grow nationally and locally.